Claimant countries in the South China Sea must work together to avert a fisheries collapse in the disputed waters, including conducting patrols and establishing marine protected areas, according to a US expert. Gregory Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), presented a “Blueprint for fisheries and environmental cooperation in the South China Sea” during a roundtable discussion with government officials, diplomats, representatives from academe and fisheries experts in Makati City yesterday. Poling said the blueprint is a joint collaboration of experts from the US, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, as well as from Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Flores, H., & Laude, J. (2018, February 3). US expert warns of fisheries collapse in SCS. The Philippine Star, p. 3.